Okla. Lawmaker Says Fisher Conviction Shows Need for Ethics Reform

18 February 2006

Former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher's conviction on campaign-related charges of embezzlement and perjury demonstrate the necessity of stronger ethics laws in Oklahoma, according to State Rep. Ryan McMullen .

"Commissioner Fisher's conviction demonstrates that no man is above the law, but we must do more to reduce the chance for corruption to occur in the first place," said McMullen (D-Burns Flat). "I believe we must strengthen our ethics laws in Oklahoma."

To achieve that goal, McMullen has filed House Bill 3130, which would prevent Oklahoma state candidates from receiving contributions from federal political action committees.

"As the Jack Abramoff scandal in Washington has shown, federal PACS have become a way to funnel money to state legislative races that disguises where the money originates," McMullen said. "The people of Oklahoma have the right to know who bankrolls their legislative candidates."

McMullen noted that disgraced federal lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates contributed thousands to a PAC that then contributed $74,500 to state legislative candidates in 2004.

He also noted that Fisher is going to jail for a violation involving far less money. Fisher was found guilty this week of embezzling campaign funds because he deposited a $1,000 campaign check into his personal account.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives had previously voted to impeach Fisher on five articles in September 2004, including the embezzlement charge. Fisher resigned before his Senate trial.

"If $1,000 can tempt a statewide-elected official, imagine the pressures created when candidates have access to 100 times that amount from sources that are hard to trace," McMullen said. "Clearly, the people of Oklahoma deserve more transparency and accountability."

McMullen also urged his colleagues to support two other ethics reforms that comprise part of the House Democrats' Covenant with Oklahoma.

House Bill 2449, by State Rep. Lucky Lamons (D- Tulsa), would prohibit campaign contributions during the spring legislative session. The moratorium would extend to all candidate committees and political action committees with the purpose of supporting of opposing legislative candidates.

House Joint Resolution 1068, by State Rep. Ryan Kiesel (D-Seminole) and McMullen, would amend the state constitution to require that an independent commission of judges redraw legislative and congressional districts every 10 years instead of leaving that task to legislators.

According to The Oklahoman, District Judge Susan Caswell has delayed sentencing for Fisher sentencing until Feb. 21.

Fisher, who remains in the Oklahoma County jail, faces up to three years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

Source: insurancejournal

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